With the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society gearing up for yet another confrontation down under with the Japanese whaling fleet, the amount of news being generated concerning this year’s “Whale Wars” is impressive. Four years after Animal Planet started filming the campaigns, worldwide press now tilts heavily towards covering the organization’s dramatic efforts to curb whaling in the Southern Ocean. Here’s the latest:

Remember that submarine Sea Shepherd bought back in 1994 for $250K, but never used? Could it be that they’re in the market for a more reliable and updated version? Paul Watson posted this photo on Facebook of him testing out a C-Explorer 2 person submersible at the Monaco Yacht Show back in September. “Looking for 1000 metres for 8 hours,” he wrote. With a rated 3 knots underwater, this is definitely not something that would be used in action – but perhaps as surveillance?

Is Australia sending a ship to monitor this year’s hunt? Rumors spread towards the end of last month that the massive (and, shhh, secret) “Ocean Protector” was getting ready for the job; but federal Environment Minister Tony Burke shot them down. Alas, it appears that the Aussies will be watching “Whale Wars” along with everyone else for the latest on what’s happening in their backyard.

Paul Watson is apparently no longer on Interpol’s “Blue” list, a move Japan took back in 2010 to “monitor” his movements. “Damn but I’m going to miss the quick trips to the front of the arrival line,” he wrote on Facebook. “I tried to tell the immigration officer in Sydney, ‘There must be some mistake. Japan has declared me to be a dangerous eco-terrorist. They put me on the Blue List just like China did with the Dalai Lama. Run my passport again, there must be a mistake.’ She answered, ‘we know who you are and nothing’s come up. Welcome to Australia again Captain Watson – good luck down there this year.’ What? No hassles? no questions? no checking the bags? I feel so rejected.”

In case you weren’t aware, the entire SSCS fleet (Steve Irwin, Bob Barker, and Brigitte Bardot) is closing in on Australia. For those interested, the Bob Barker will be available for public tours in Sydney on November 10th-12th.

What about that rumored mysterious fourth ship? The need for the vessel was publicly expressed back in July as a means to cover Japan’s third harpoon ship. “We need one large vessel for each of the harpoon vessels. The Japanese tactic of tailing our two large ships to relay our position ahead to the factory ships works, but at the cost of sacrificing the whale killing activities of each harpoon vessel,” said Captain Locky MacLean. Nobody knows if that need has been filled – and the org has a knack for keeping things a surprise for the Japanese first (as they did with the introduction of the Bob Barker). Hang tight – I’d say there’s a good chance we’ll see something new to fulfill some of the “surprises” Watson keeps saying he’s bringing this year.

Remember the $28M the Japanese whaling fleet had requested this year on top of their standard $10M subsidy? They got it – with the Fisheries Agency saying it will help the fleet “conduct scientific whaling in the Southern Ocean according to the original plan.” Read: Needless killing without hindrance from the Sea Shepherd. Expect some kind of security vessel to accompany the fleet; though it’s unclear just how effective it will be at stymieing three (or four) SSCS ships.

Finally, the Sea Shepherd threw a successful fundraising bash last week, “Stand up for the Oceans”, with celebs like Martin Sheen, Sarah Silverman, Alyssa Milano, and many more in attendance. According to a posting on the Planet Ocean Alliance boards, the original “Bond” Sean Connery has agreed to sign on as an “Advisory Member” for the conservation org.

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About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

Drastic steps need to be taken for drastic situations. Sea Shepherd might be labeled eco-terrorists but I can see where they’re coming from. Unlike other extremists who fight for an “ideal”, SS is protecting something tangible and not just an idea. There are other food sources, just because it’s a delicacy doesn’t mean you have the right to hunt them to extinction. It’s crazy.

They also do a lot of completely illegitimate conservation though. Whether it’s to raise money or just because they like being a bunch of vigilante thugs I don’t know, but a lot of what they do is BS….

Whales have intelligence equal to man.They have languages and societies. They make friends and have family units. What the Japanese do is akin to cannibalism. How would you feel if Ma got murdered and became lunchg meat?

http://herwinsvegancafe.blogspot.com/ herwin

the same goes for pigs and cows. would like to see and Animal Planet team following Mercy For Animals and whats happening in our own animal factories, with a few billion animal victims each years. I gess that would be too uncomfortable.

Pix

Save the whales, and eat the cow

S

This is unfortunately true. I think the big difference here is that pigs and cows are bred for the sole purpose of being killed and not threatened by extinction.

I definitely don’t agree on the methods of slaughter houses or how “life stock” is treated in many cases.

Sea Shepherd focuses their attention to the oceans. They are not able to focus on every animal in this world as much as they would like to. They are already making a point by only eating vegan.

http://herwinsvegancafe.blogspot.com/ herwin

Sea Sepherd is absolutely one of the greatest organisations out there, besides the ALF and the Animal Sanctuaries. Paul watson is a true hero, and that all the vessels are vegan, shows a lot of integrity.
But just dont forget, if you are protesting against the slaughter of a few thousand whales, you better be a vegetarian/vegan, or you might be a damn hypocrit, for convenientlty forgetting the billions of factory animals in your own country, and possibly only protect whales because its “them” that are doing it.
Well, anyway, Seashepherd rocks 100%, and thats the way we should deal with animal factory farms in our own western world. Hey wait a minute, could that be the Animal Liberation Front ? The heroes we dont hear too mch about on trendy blogs like the Razzi gossipers, but go to jail for a very untrendy long time fro freeing a buchg of chickens ?
The forgotten heroes, because they free animals from our own countries, and unlike protecting animals from Asian countries, that is NOT tolerated and dealt with in a very hard and unjust way.
@ Pix, i will have you for dinner, roasted and with an apple in your mouth, thank you.

http://herwinsvegancafe.blogspot.com/ herwin

@Pix i know you are kidding.

Kevin

I agree, one who is against eating dolphins should be against eating mammalian livestock. I also would add that you should be against coal power just as strongly. Coal fired power plants result in over half of the mercury in the oceans. Dolphins are getting poisoned, as are humans who eat seafood. Autism rates have also been statistically significantly linked to proximity during childhood to a coal power plant.

romika3

Can you give me a reference that states that whales “have intelligence equal to man”. Brain size is not a measure of intelligence.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Dave-Rideough/516534860 Dave Rideough

There are dozens of species of whale, some as dumb as cows and some possibly as smart as man. How can someone who seems to care so much be so misinformed?

Deano

You really have to wonder why the Australian government hasn’t sent a navy frigate to the southern ocean, economics? Oh that’s right, they still allow 600 tonnes of shark to be slaughtered in the GBR marine sanctuary. Environmental joke!

http://www.facebook.com/people/Dave-Rideough/516534860 Dave Rideough

Well, to be fair, the Australians would be opening a huge can of worms if their Navy took any action against the whalers, since they aren’t encroaching on Australian territorial waters.

Brian

Actually the waters the whalers go into are Australian teritorial waters in antartica along with some USA and NewZealand teritorial waters.

romika3

All of this fuss for the sake of a television series. The majority of the whales harvested in the southern oceans are minke whales that have healthy and sustainable populations, Watson consistently fails to mention this!!! The SSCS has done little to stop whaling here, in fact they have caused the Japanese to dig in their heels on the issue. The additional 27 million dollars being put into security is a result of this. Nations have pride and prefer to move on their own terms. But Watson is known for selecting issues that bring in the most money and media attention while ignoring the “real”conservation issues in the world.

boo radley

Hey Romika, you must’ve been hanging for another SSCS story to spin a few tales & mistruths? Missed ya.

brian

Your wrong. If you think minkie whales are sustainable then you need to do some research and have a look at the bigger picture. whaling is a barbaric practice that needs to stop. infact comercial fishing on this planet as a whole needs to stop. none of it is sustainable at all. our practices as a whole have drasticaly unbalanced the food chain to the point of collapse, its really quite scary what we as humans are doing to our oceans, it does not take a genius to work out that the damage we are doing now will soon mean that global collapse of our ocean food chain will soon be a reality. all in the name of profit and to feed the greedy masses and supermarket giants. what will my great grand children think when they study in class “The Barbarians of the Early 21st century”

romika3

We scan everyday for Watson untruths and rubbish posts. Just Watson working ever day to post rubbish in the media.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Dave-Rideough/516534860 Dave Rideough

Brian, there are sustainable practices and unsustainable ones. Cut out the oversimplification and melodrama.

Laureen

Romika3 – This isn’t ‘for the sake of a TV series’ – Whale Wars is about what has been happening over the years and now finally through the medium of television the world is being shown what has been and still is going on. Nations may have pride but the Japanese certainly have no cause to be proud of the barbaric and disgusting activities carried out in the name of ‘research’ in the southern oceans regardless of how many whales there may or may not be. The world has just poured millions into their nation to help with the aftermath of the tsunami and they should hang their heads in shame when spending 27 million dollars on security defending an illeagal operation. As for the ‘real’ conservation issues in the world you mention – if you know anything about conservation at all you should know that if we lose the oceans we lose everything.

Unfortunately, pro-whalers believe that nations like Japan should simply ignore the international conventions that prohibit the slaughter of whales and trade in whale products.

These antagonists believe Japan can kill as many whales, endangered and non-endangered, as it likes regardless of international agreements. Japanese whaling is one of the world’s worst examples of subversion of international conservation efforts.

Historically, Japanese whalers have violated size limits, species protections, seasonal limits, all manner of quotas, and even facilitated “pirate whaling” (that’s front companies with foreign labor secretly and illegally killing whales to smuggle the unreported meat to Japan).

The ongoing killing of whales in defiance of a global moratorium on commercial whaling, from stocks listed as protected and in some cases endangered, in an area designated as a whale sanctuary, is the latest manifestation of a long pattern of criminal behavior.

The International Whaling Commission, through a democratic process, has prohibited all commercial whaling. The legality of Japan’s abuse of the so-called “science loophole” has been officially called into question by Australia. The International Court of Justice will hear arguments over the next few years.

Not to mention the coastal slaughter of up to 20,000 dolphins (including rare beaked whales).

Japan also acts as the world market for whale meat by importing endangered Fin whale meat from Iceland. This is also prohibited under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species.

romika3

As pointed out in a previous post, what law are they breaking??? There is a loop hole that they utilize. However attacking fishermen, demonizing a people, using terrorist methods is not the way to bring about change. SSCS has brought about NO change in policy etc, but rather they have caused the Japanese to dig in (National Pride) and Watson is to stunned to figure this out. SSCS statement that it saves x number of whales per year is an example of an organization operating at the LOWEST level in the conservation continuum. This organization distorts data, gets involved based on media and money making potential, preys on youth, constantly demonizes people and culture, etc………

romika3

Anix, perhaps you should give the numbers: 2009
679 minke whales and one fin whale rather than listing off species that have not been harvested.

AnimuX

Romika has incorrectly implied endangered species are not hunted by Japan.

The following link shows IWC recorded statistics on Japan’s so-called “research” whaling — which includes the slaughter of:

Endangered Fin whales
Endangered Sei whales
Vulnerable Sperm whales
Bryde’s whales (population uncertain)
Common Minke whales in the North Pacific (many from the vulnerable J-stock)
Antarctic Minke whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary (IUCN data suggests this species is also in decline)

You do not ‘HARVEST’ wild animals; you poach them at least in the case of whales. This word is deliberately used to try and give mankind the right to kill and destroy anything he wants on this planet.

boo radley

Well said Serena

http://www.facebook.com/people/Dave-Rideough/516534860 Dave Rideough

You’re hardly in a position to complain about people abusing the word “harvest” when you abuse the word “poaching” like that.

Poaching very specifically refers to **illegal** hunting/trapping.

AnimuX

People who flout international conventions prohibiting the slaughter of animals by killing hundreds of protected whales in a wildlife sanctuary are most certainly “poachers”.

CC

Sustainable? Says who? There hasn’t been any research done on the Minke whale population in the southern ocean. Any numbers juggled in statistics are merely assumption. The more studies done on whales the more we find that each species of whale, while the same species, are in fact subspecies due to where they live, how they hunt, and how they communicate. A prime example of this are Ocra(Killer Whale) given that some pods eat what others don’t, speak in ways that others don’t, and even have slight differences in coloration. It is ignorant for anyone to state, at this point, what is or isn’t sustainable until we further research this.

As of right now we classify whales are endangered or not. Yes, the Minke whale isn’t endangered, however, the Minke whales in the southern ocean more then likely are, seeing as the rate they are being slaughtered greatly outweighs their reproduction rate.

romika3

Well then perhaps Paul Watson and the SSCS might consider putting the funds that he wasted sending the Andy Gil to the bottom and all the fuel spent chasing decoys last season towards a supporting a research project to determine those numbers and to verify sustainability. I could live with that because that is what a conservation organization should be doing.

AnimuX

According data gathered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Antarctic Minke whale may very well have declined 50% or more in population over the last three generations which would classify the species as endangered.

romika3

They are not classified as endangered!!!

bch

Japan kills enough sea life without hunting whales in a whale sanctuary. this so called scientific research is a crock of BS. worry about rebuilding your country from the massive earthquake that devestated it and quit wasting time killing whales that you don’t even break even on every year now. more publicity means more negative attention to them – good job SS!

I hate all whale- and dolphin murdering and killing by the japanese and I wonder how long the world will accept this brutal slaughtering.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Dave-Rideough/516534860 Dave Rideough

There’s no such thing as whale or dolphin murder. You can only murder a human.

Brian

David yor very clever obviously. there is always a smart ass out there for every cause. clap clap buddy.

Tripp

Okay, first… it’s not JUST a television show. It is a conservation society that has been put onto a channel to show everyone the facts. The SSCS has been going on for much longer than I’m sure you even know – So you should probably Google that. Anyway… What you are saying sickens me. We do not know the exact numbers of any whale, our studies are sadly purely based on assumption. The fact you’re saying the Japanese have had to “dig their heels in” to get “security” shows you have quite frankly have no heart… either that or no brain (still trying to figure this out). They don’t need $27 million dollars for that, come on. Use that little brain of yours. I know that’s asking too much of you since, from what you said above, harvesting any creature on this planet is okay… Oh! But ONLY until they’re near extinction. Is how ignorant you sounded sinking in yet…?
Before you post, do some research and a little growing up. Maybe then you’ll realize what “REAL” conservation is.

romika3

“Okay, first… it’s not JUST a television show. It is a conservation society that has been put onto a channel to show everyone the facts.” Sorry but you have it backwards, it is a television show and it is not a conservation society.

drugxfree

So romika3, which came first, the organisation or the tv show? You’re extremely bad at this game. Go troll elsewhere else you pelican.

AnimuX

Pro-whaling antagonists often pretend that SSCS is just in it “for the money” or the “publicity”.

However, the fact remains that Paul Watson was involved in the very first direct action against whaling when he took on the Soviets in the North Pacific with the original Greenpeace – with no television crew and no mountain of donation money.

SSCS has received high ratings by charity evaluators for putting the vast majority of its donations toward operational expenses rather than administrative overhead.

Japan has earned the ire of environmental organizations for its decades long violation and subversion of international conservation efforts.

AnimuX

According to data gathered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Antarctic Minke whale populations may have declined by as much as 50% in the last three generations which would classify the species as endangered.

So much talk about sustainability when on top of that issue is, as Dana said, about sentience: the ability to feel pain and suffer. The only whale Japan dared to kill in front of Sea Shepherd took 2 harpoon shots and 7 gunshots before she finally drowned in her own blood 23 minutes later. The pilot who witnessed it said that he could hear he sounds of agony the entire time. The whalers look for babies because they know a mother will not leave her calf. Plus, if SSCS were not there, Japan would kill with impunity. There are 900 whales from last year’s campaign who are swimming free because of SSCS. To Sea Shepherd, that is success.

romika3

So what I am reading from you, a SSCS supporter, is that the SSCS presence in the Southern Ocean has nothing to do with sustainability but rather an animals ability to feel pain? This is one of the major problems with the SSCS, nobody in the organization knows why they are doing what they do. Watson states that he only attacks poachers, yet in many cases he has attacked legal fishermen. He states that he is a policeman, yet he no mandate. He states he protects endangered species yet he attacks fisher people involved in harvesting species from healthy and sustainable populations. He states that he is a conservationist yet he does nothing to bring about long term change and makes no attempt to work with fishermen bring about change. The list goes on and on…..

romika3

” as the rate they are being slaughtered greatly outweighs their reproduction rate.” how can you make that statement if there has been no research done on minke populations in the southern ocean??? You must be a member or supporter of the SSCS as they are known for making up and distorting data. In Paul Watson’s book “Earthforce” he instructs his followers that it is acceptable to lie and distort data!!!!

boo radley

You seem to b taking that advice yourself Romika. How was the book, btw?

romika3

In the past Watson wasted a quarter of a million dollars of doner money on a sub. Where is it now???? Perhaps doner would like to know as this money might have been better spend if it was donated to a conservation organization rather than an eco-terrorist organization like the SSCS.

boo radley

Are you saying you support conservation groups Romika? Which ones exactly? Which one is saving whales?

Bob

Sea shpherd are crooks and the sooner they are put in jail the better.

boo radley

Crooks? Wow….thats a new one. Did you dream that ne up yourself or did you need some help? I wonder what they are stealing? @Romika, Paul Watson himself donates to SSCS. In fact he brings in about a quarter of a million dollars, and also donated to help free the Steve Irwin recently after some tuna poachers tried to steal his ship.

VG

One issue is the statement by the whalers that they are conducting scientific research. No genuine scientific researcher would ever consider eating their study species! Ever!
A study species as vast as a whale cannot be killed quickly-another requirement of genuine research!
SSCS are doing their best under difficult circumstances to reduce, at best, the practice of
whaling.
Every whale saved goes some way to sustain the species.
Good luck to all aboard SSCS ships! Keep safe!

One other thing we all seem to concentrate alot on the japanese hunting whales.

The Norwegians hunt whales every year as do the inuits of the northern antartic coasts.

who protects those whales????????????????????????????????????????

romika3

They focus on the Japanese because the SSCS can get away with their foolish terrorist behaviors in the southern ocean. SSCS wouldn’t last a day in the north Atlantic. Watson displays “bully” like behavior. Stand up to him and he will go somewhere else to collect his money and look for media fame. We drove the wimp out of Eastern Canada, yet he still tries to collect a few dollar via his web page even thought this is now no money in seals like there is in whales!!!!

Brian

@ romika3 i actually think that the SSCS does a great job, I think they are doing the right thing. I think if it were not for them then who else is out there actually doing something to stop these barbaric japenese whalers. you need to go do some travell get out of your house and go see these creatures for your self. i am glad
Paul and his team are out there, they are brave and dedicated to the conservation effort.

And as for you well maybee you should get off your chair and get a boat of your own and show the rest of us how it should be done instead of whining on a web page.

romika3

“instead of whining on a web page.”no whining here buddy and lots of whales and “barbaric fishermen” also. Perhaps it is you out should get off your butt and see the world. That’s the problem with you supporters of Watson, you see hardworking fisher persons as barbarians including their culture. That’s not the way to bring about change. It has been documented that Paul Watson, who grew up in fishing community, has had a seething hatred, since his youth, for people who make their living from the sea. Perhaps this is why he continues to “attack” and “demonize” fishermen.

AnimuX

Some pro-whaling antagonists pretend as if environmentalists only focus on Japan.

However, they conveniently forget to mention the attention concentrated on the pilot whale slaughter in the Faroe Islands and Blue Fin tuna poaching by SSCS. They also conveniently forget to mention Agenda 21 which scuttled yet another Norwegian whaling vessel recently — and at least 25 other prominent organizations that called for economic sanctions against Icelandic whaling. (all just in the last year)

Regardless, Japan receives a great deal of attention due to its ongoing violation and subversion of international conservation efforts in killing hundreds of whales (including endangered species) and thousands of dolphins annually.

romika3

” on the pilot whale slaughter in the Faroe Islands” Pilot whales are far from endangered in the Faroe Islands and the numbers taken have been steadily decreasing over the years. Watson and the SSCS are there because blood and water makes for good photos and video opportunities and Watson knows that he can easily demonize the people of the Faroe Islands with facing serious consequences. His plans for “Whales Wars 2″ failed this summer because the people of the Faroe Island refused to play his game.

romika3

Regarding the sub that Mr. Watson is playing in. It looks like a Triton 3 passenger that runs around $2,990,000. Basically a recreational sub that is not met to work in conditions in the Southern Ocean but would make a find addition as a play toy for him when he spends time in the Galapagos Islands catching a bit of beach time on the off season. Again an example of 3 million dollars taken from individuals who think they are supporting an conservation organization!!!

Witz

For the record,I voluntarily donate my money to SS…it is not taken from me.I also proudly wear t-shirts from this “terrorist” organization and while not perfect,respect their aggressive approach to bring about change.I am a vegetarian and also believe the farm factories in my country and elsewhere are indeed cruel.That said,I see my donated money being used by SS to hinder whaling in the Antarctic each year (as well as bringing awareness to other atrocities in places like the Faeroe Islands,Taiji and Namibia).I would love to see Whale Wars cancelled, as that would mean the Japanese whalers decided to stay home.If you truly believe the decision of the Japanese whalers to return this year is in direct defiance to the Sea Shepherds, then you are very naive.Using this same reasoning then, you believe the ICR would cease their “research” if Paul Watson would decide to not meet them in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.This is Greenpeace’s approach, and how many whales did they save last year by sending virtual origamis to the Japanese prime Minister? It would be wonderful if organizations like SS,ALF,PETA,etc didn’t have to exist at all.But as long as there are people like yourself that defend and applaud the killing of the beautiful animals of this planet,there will be people like Paul Watson willing to stop you and people like myself that will support them.

romika3

Glad to hear that you watch whale wars and purchase SSCS tee shirts and trinkets from their gift store. Today I didn’t eat chicken and I saved one foul. I feel great in fact I feel just like Mr. Paul Watson because I made an impact on factory farming!!!!!!!! Can you donate some money so that I can save two chickens next week? Take some time an ponder what I just posted.

boo radley

When you say foul, you mean you held it in for a day?

AnimuX

Romika incorrectly implies that SSCS is wasting money. However, SSCS has repeatedly received high ratings from independent charity evaluations for putting the vast majority of its donations into operational expenses rather than administrative overhead. SSCS supporters are apparently pleased with the results as the organization’s donations have significantly increased in recent years.

romika3

And what about the real estate in Alaska and Florida? Check previous posts of this information.

Cathy

You know what Romicka3 or what ever your name is – we dont care what your opinion is – they are like arseholes, everyones got one! Go and put your comnents on a Japanese site and piss off from this page!!! I am going to have dinner this Friday night with Captain Paul Watson at Kings Wharf Sydney Australia and give them as much money as I can!!! We WILL shut down the barbaric killing of marine animals!!!

romika3

Been to Sydney and it is a beautiful and fine city. Perhaps you might consider supporting a conservation organization in Australia that does good work and brings about real change that does not involve attacking and demonizing a people or a culture. Regarding arseholes, I agree that everybody has one and that your statement is supported by the research. Mr. Paul Watson has one also, the problem being that his is so being he hasn’t got room for anything else. Please post a note following the dinner as we would like to know what Paul Watson prefers on his hamburgers.

Bob

Why don’t you start with the endangered bluefin tuna that Australian fisherman are killing?

boo radley

You mean the ones that Japan stole for decades? Under-reporting and lying about their catch sizes Bob?

Bob

No, I mean the endangered bluefin tuna that Australians are catching right now. The Australians actually want their quota increased by 30%. For an endangered species.

We don’t see Paul Watson doing any intervening on behalf of that endangered species. Instead he sails thousands of miles away to interfere with Japanese catching non-endangered minke whales. More proof that the SSCS in nothing but a scam organisation whose business is sucking money out of the gullible.

romika3

Watson won’t touch the tuna issue in Australia because the SSCS sucks to much money out of them.

Rm

Well done to the Japanese. The additional ship they send will have no experience of that playing field and they are gonna need a whole lot more fuel too. I hope they have converted the factory ship to diesel too CIA fuel oil is now illegal.

Rm

Well done to the Japanese. The additional ship they send will have no experience of that playing field and they are gonna need a whole lot more fuel too. I hope they have converted the factory ship to diesel too CIA fuel oil is now illegal.

Rm

Romika= Troll and she even lookes like one. I know this because I know her and went to the same university as her ( she was a year behind me) And I know how she is intent on playing the devils advocate on any topic not just this one. Ignore her, do not engage her cos she is a a time wasting blood sucking gold digger. Focus on the job we have in front of us. Email Kevin Rudd if u have time ( Aus govt ) and ask why the coast guard is not getting involved with hanging out the back of these rusting Japanese commanded ex soviet hulks. Why? cos international diplomacy seems to override any sort of sanity and rational thinking where wild animals and nature are concerned. Some things are worth more than money. Think about it.

romika3

The Australian government will not get involved with the SSCS for the same reason that any reputable marine scientist or NGO will not get involved with the SSCS. They are basically an eco-terrorist organization with a shady past and shady connections, behind closed doors.

AnimuX

Romika has incorrectly implied that SSCS has no support from reputable marine scientists…

For example:

Dr. Sidney Holt, a former IWC scientific committee member and renowned marine biologist is on the SSCS board of advisors.

leganday oceanographer Captain Albert Falco from the Cousteau Society, did break a bottle of champaign on the bow of the Brigtiite Bardot, one vessel of the SSCS.http://www.examiner.com/whale-wars-in-national/sea-shepherd-s-beast-becomes-a-true-beauty
The Cousteau Society is a very respectable longtime marine society.
It is more the other way around; its the japanese whalers who are involved in very shady connections and there are no reputable non-jpanese marine scientists who are involved with them, or endorse them.

Bob

I never heard of Albert Falco. He must be another legend like Paul Watson, ie a legend in his own mind.

Let’s have a look at what a real legend and champion of conservation, Jacques Cousteau himself had to say about the activities of charlatans like Paul Watson:

“”We have to be logical. We have to aim our activity first to the endangered species. Those who are moved by the plight of the harp seal could also be moved by the plight of the pig – the way they are slaughtered is horrible.”

romika3

“The Brigitte Bardot was christened by Captain Albert Falco, famed oceanographer of the Cousteau Society,” This quote is taken from the SSCS press release. As usually the SSCS distorts the facts. Albert Falco was not a famed oceanographer he was on the captain of the the Calypso, there is a big difference.

romika3

“there are no reputable non-jpanese marine scientists who are involved with them, or endorse them.” sorry but you are incorrect. If you cross reference some of the papers produced by the Japanese whale researchers you will discover that many have been published in peer reviewed journals. You can’t get any better than that.

http://herwinsvegancafe.blogspot.com/ herwin

@ Bob.
I AGREE COMPLETELY WITH YOU BOB !!! THE WAY PIGS ARE SLAUGHTERED IS HORRIBLE ! THANKS FOR THE QUOTE AND SHOWING YOU ARE NOT THE TOTAL HEARTLESS SCUMBAG WE ALL DID THINK YOU ARE.

Okay, serious..
Its not me, but the newspaper (see link) who calls him “legendary”. FYI, mr Falco was a life long team member together with Jacques Cousteau, and half of European people saw his face every week on the telly roaming the seas. So yeah, he is a legend.

I googled your quote (from Jacques Cousteau?) and only can find it on (many) pro sealing websites, not on any environmental website.
Sorry, but if i cant see the original quote in its context, it is little more than a slogan.
And, its a quote about sealing, not about whales and not about Watson.
So, please Bob, show me the original quote.

Stands the fact, that legendary mr Falco of the Coustea society did break a bottle of champaign on a vessel of the SSCS.

So DUH for you from me and the whales. And dont take it out on the seals, eh.

Bob

Pro-sealing websites and environmental websites are not mutually exclusive herwin. That’s another wrong idea you’ve got in your head. People who listen to Paul Watson end up with a lot of wrong ideas in their head. Jacques Cousteau’s comment was also used in a scholarly article published by the Journal of Political Economy at the University of Chicago.

If you feel the University of Chicago has abandoned it’s academic honesty in favour being pro-sealing, you will have to take it up with them.

http://herwinsvegancafe.blogspot.com/ herwin

@ Romika.
No you are wrong. The quote is from a newspaper and i linked it.
Besides that, the guy IS a legend, i know him from when i was a kid. He was at the team of Jacques Cousteau and weekly on television, and yes, he is an oceonagrapher.
@ Romika. Please links and proof when you claim that many western scientist support japanese whaling.
@ Bob.
Hi Bob ! I cannot find that quote on any other websites than pro sealer sites.
Let me tell you about quotes, they are extremely selfserving and many quotes are simply made up and never said by the person. All those quotes from so called vegetarian famous people on vegetarian sites ? humbug, many of them are misquoted, out of context and even simply made up.
So yeah, goddam, i only belive quotes when i actually can see a link and read the quote in its original context.
Besides that, Bobby, you missed my point that i actually agree with most of the content of that quote. ANYBODY AGAINTS SEALING SHOULD BE AGAINST SLAUGHTERING PIGS BECAUSE THAT IS ALSO EQAULLY CRUEL AND DISGUSTING.
Its so funny to see you use such a quote, a quote that says that pig slaughter is cruel. My Question to you : you agree with your quote from Costeau that the way pigs are slaughtered is cruel ? Got it ? Cousteau actaully says that SEALING IS CRUEL, just as slaughtering pigs. I find it humerous to find such an anti sealing quote on pro sealing sites, and to be used by you.

romika3

“@ Romika. Please links and proof when you claim that many western scientist support japanese whaling.” Read what I said carefully. What I was refering to was that some of the research papers that were published by researchers working for ICR were published in peer reviewed journals. Check the list on their page for those papers.

romika3

When one picks through the harvest data produced by the IWC one begins to wonder why the SSCS is so focused on Japan when other there are other countries that take a greater number of whales that are on the endangered list. Is it that the SSCS focus on the Japanese based solely on the fact that the SSCS has a greater freedom to carry out their terrorist like activities in international waters. These type of activities attract more gullible youth, offer a greater potential for TV shows, bring in more money and media and allows Watson to feed his need to demonize fishermen. Or is it that Paul Watson is basically a coward and practices only what he preaches in places where he knows no one will stand up to him!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/people/Steven-Carter/196000375 Steven Carter

I support Sea Shepherds actions to shut down the cowardly Japanese Whalers. The Whalers are not simple fishermen, they are eco-terrorists out to drive whales to extinction. They illegally hunt them in a protected zone, and the governments of the world just look the other way. The Japanese have again and again declared war on the planet. Someone has to stand up to them.

http://herwinsvegancafe.blogspot.com/ herwin

Humbug. The whalers ARE the same as most (read : all) modern fishing operations who roam the oceans with giant trailers and modern equipment, plundering the oceans and literally fishing the oceans empty, causing massive bycatches that are discarded, such as albatrosses, dolphins, sharks, not-commercial fishes.
The whalers should be stopped, regardles they are from japan or norway or iceland, yeah i agree, but please stop the bombastic anti japan rethoric.

romika3

“The Japanese have again and again declared war on the planet. Someone has to stand up to them.” This is the hallmark of the SSCS. Demonize a people and then collect the money. This is one of the reasons why we work against this organization. Besides selecting issues where the species in question is not endangered and the harvest is legal and sustainable Paul Watson directs all of his energy into media and milking money out of school kids and those who he has fleeced (old folks, entertainers, and movie stars). This interview sums up Watson’s thinking on what he does:

Today, the money is in whales. The fishermen of Eastern Canada have experienced first hand how this organization and a few others work directly and indirectly through other groups that do the even more dirty work for them, letters, telephone threats etc.

Imagine what could be done if all the money, wasted and sent to the bottom, by the SSCS was directed toward real conservation work on education, policy, research, alternate harvest, and sustainability practices.

romika3

Folks: Get with it with your sealing fetish. The biomass of the the harp seal is approaching 10 million animals up from 2.5 in the 90s. The animal is not endangered, the harvest method of humane, the meat has no additives etc. The problem is that over 20 organizations including the SSCS depend on the seal hunt for funds. It is in their best interest to keep the myths alive. For example the white coat still appears on all web pages, etc yet has not been harvested since 1987. In one more year that will be a quarter of a century. Seals are now shot yet organizations make and effort to collect images that make people think they are being clubbed. Learn the truth from Watson at: